บท 62: B-Rank Dungeon, Ylsafa's Lair

The fight would've been over right then and there if Hex and the others didn't come to his aid. Then again, he could always rely on the System to pull him out of tight spots.

"WHAT'S THE PLAN?" Hex screamed as the AOE attack dissipated. The sound of crackling electricity was so loud that he had to yell.

"JUST SUPPORT ME FROM AFAR! I CAN DO THIS!" Albrecht continued.

Once the skill 'Aegis Shield' deactivated, Albrecht was free to charge at the dungeon boss again. Without hesitation, he charged at Ylsafa once again, this time, his goal was to get within arm's reach of the dungeon boss.

—

Meanwhile, Hex and the others had no idea what to do. They felt like they'd just get in Albrecht's way if they went in.

"Do we just stay here?" Hex asked. "How are we going to support him?"

"We just have to protect him whenever that thing shoots of electricity and fire. Leader, your Aegis Shield should help."

Hex nodded his head. This was the first time he used such a skill. That's why everyone in the group had no idea that he could only use it once. "I can only use it once."

Everyone held their breaths since that meant they were basically sitting ducks the next time Ylsafa unleashes another Lightning Fire Discharge.

"But it needs to charge up the attack." Sylvia let out. "Natalie, with your Stealth and Dagger Rush, you can interrupt the boss!"

"What?! I'd die!" Natalie hissed. Charging at the dungeon boss was the last thing that entered his mind.

"You won't, I'll heal you." Sylvia continued.

"Just make sure to sneak in there and interrupt it, and then you can retreat." This time it was Hex who spoke.

—

Albrecht had no idea what the Spiderweb Party were discussing about, but now that he was given an opening, he didn't waste his chance. Based on the System, he still had three minutes before Ylsafa could fire off another Lightning Fire Discharge.

That means he had enough time to use the two key items.

[An emergency quest had been issued]

[Emergency Quest (Optional Quest): Tame the Dungeon Boss Lightning Fire Lion

More Information: The Dungeon Boss, Lightning Fire Lion (Ylsafa) is easy to subdue. It is a very killable dungeon boss. However, it is one of the few beasts who are hard to tame. Tame the Lightning Fire Lion and make it your pet]

[This is an Optional Quest. Would you like to accept this quest?]

[Yes/No]

In his mind, he was debating whether to tame Ylsafa or not. But now that the System issued him a quest, he knew that there will be generous rewards if he accepts it.

Adding to that, he was initially planning to tame Ylsafa anyways. Even though he's a weak beast compared to other dungeon bosses, Albrecht liked its appearance. At the very least, he wanted it as a mount, more than anything else.

"These two items... I was planning to use it to the Mythical Fire Dragon should things go sideways... I also planned to use it on the Abominable Snowman as well but I didn't." Albrecht muttered to himself, dodging a bunch of lightning strikes and fireball that were relentlessly fired at him.

Kraagh~

And then... Ylsafa let out a roar, and its body glowed a nice shade of blue. It was obvious that Ylsafa was using a skill but they had no idea what it was. All they knew was that its body was covered with pure Zecian Aura.

It started charging up its second Lightning Fire Discharge.

"What?! But it hasn't even been a minute yet!" Albrecht complained. He started running towards Ylsafa. It didn't even matter if he was grazed with a couple of lightning and fireballs. He needed to get to Ylsafa before it fires off another AOE attack.

Once it does that, Albrecht knew that all of them would be severely injured. And he was right on the money. At the moment, Hex couldn't use his skill 'Aegis Shield' anymore. They'd be easy pickings once that happened, and everyone knows that lions were carnivores, right?!

Out of desperation, Albrecht summoned the key items in his hand. He believed that he'd still be able to use it.

[Item 'Four Leaf Clover' equipped]

[You brought out an item 'Tamer's Collar']

"Che~ I won't make it in time." Albrecht muttered to himself as he deflected a couple more fireballs coming his way. He could really use Chronos Reversion right now, but he would immediately pass out since he didn't have enough Zecian Aura left.

Seconds seemed to last an eternity as Albrecht watched Ylsafa. There was only two seconds left before it unleashed another area-of-effect attack. It was clear that he won't make it in time.

Nevertheless, Albrecht kept on charging forward, hoping for a miracle.

Fwooosh~

As if on cue, a figure flew ran past him, and she kept on going until she reached Ylsafa. It was none other than the Spiderweb Party's scout, Natalie Holmes.

"I got this!" She called out.

Dagger Rush.

The moment she arrived in front of Ylsafa, she unleashed a flurry of attacks with her dagger.

It wasn't enough to significantly damage the dungeon boss, but it was enough to piss it off. In a fit of rage, Ylsafa stopped charging its attack and it whipped its tail on Natalie instead.

Despite her speed as a Gold Rank Adventurer, she wasn't able to react in time and the attack connected. Taking a direct hit, she flew towards the other side of the boss room and slammed onto the wall.

Blood spurted out of her mouth, and she felt like a couple of broken ribs pierced her lungs.

As her consciousness waned, Natalie saw Albrecht's lips mutter a 'thank you'.

Because of her sacrificial act, Albrecht was able to close in on Ylsafa. He immediately used the two key items he had. "You gave us such a hard time. It ends here." He announced, clipping the Tamer's Collar on Ylsafa's neck.

[Item 'Four Leaf Clover' effects are in place]

[You used the item 'Tamer's Collar']

[Item: Tamer's Collar F-Rank— A collar used by tamers since ancient times. It has a 10% chance of working on an F-Rank Beast. Using it on a higher-ranked beast would exponentially decrease its success rate. Has 1% chance of working on a D-Rank Beast. Has .1% chance of working on a C-Rank beast... See more.]

"Please work," Albrecht could only hope and pray as he held onto the item 'Four Leaf Clover' on his hand.